Translated from THE BLACK BOOK OF CAERMARTHEN, THE RED BOOK OF HERGEST,

….and THE BOOK OF TALIESSIN and THE BOOK OF ANEURIN

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Rosie Russell - Five shining stars for Posie Pixie Book 1 from "The Whimsy Wood Series."
Author Sarah Hill and illustrator Sarah Mauchline presents an adorable tale called "Posie Pixie and the Copper Kettle" Book 1.
Readers will enjoy rich words, charming drawings, and a story filled with fun and imagination! I am looking forward to more books from the "Whimsy Wood Series" as "Posie Pixie" has won my heart!
Thank you Sarah Hill for allowing me to win this copy through one of your contests!

THE FOUR ANCIENT BOOKS OF WALES

This book was especially republished to raise funds for these charities & many more...

33% of the publishers profit from the sale of this book will be donated to charities.

THE dissolution of the religious houses in Wales during the reign of Henry VIII, and the dispersion of their libraries, led to many Welsh manuscripts passing into the hands of private individuals. Collections of Welsh manuscripts soon began to be formed by persons who took an interest in the history and literature of their country. In the early 1600s many of the manuscripts came into the possession of Robert Vaughan which he amassed at Hengwrt, his home, preserving many unique texts which might otherwise have been lost. Later these become known as the Hengwrt-Peniarth Collection (from the houses from which they were successively preserved). They then formed the nucleus of the National Library of Wales and are still in its care.

This is William Skene's anthology of dark-age Welsh Bardic poetry sourced from this collection. Often cited, this book contains every remaining piece of Bardic poetry known. The poems are translated from four manuscripts: THE BLACK BOOK OF CAERMARTHEN, THE RED BOOK OF HERGEST (source of the Mabinogion), THE BOOK OF TALIESSIN and THE BOOK OF ANEURIN, all of which date from the twelfth to the fifteenth centuries A.D. The poems themselves date from much earlier, probably from the sixth century by internal evidence.

This volume is one of the treasures of world literature. It is also the only true source material for the study of Bardic lore, which reputedly preserved the impenetrable and arcane beliefs of the Druids. Much of the subject matter is related to mead-inspired battles, particularly the renowned Gododin cycle. However, the poetry rises above the gory combat to achieve an artistic height that would not be reached again for many centuries. The poems are infused throughout with mystic clarity, strange flashes of wisdom, and insight into humanity and nature.

33% of the Publishers profit from the sale of this book will be donated to The Prince's Trust

Excerpt from THE FOUR ANCIENT BOOKS OF WALES

XCII. SONG TO THE WIND (from the BOOK OF TALIESSIN XVII)

GUESS who it is.
Created before the deluge.
A creature strong,
Without flesh, without bone,
Without veins, without blood,
Without head, and without feet.
It will not be older, it will not be younger,
Than it was in the beginning.
There will not come from his design

10 Fear or death.
He has no wants
From creatures.
Great God! the sea whitens
When it comes from the beginning.
Great his beauties,
The one that made him.
He, in the field, he, in the wood,
Without hand and without foot.
Without old age, without age.

20 Without the most jealous destiny
And he (is) coeval
With the five periods of the five ages.
And also is older,
Though there be five hundred thousand years.
And he is as wide
As the face of the earth,
And he was not born,
And he has not been seen.
He, on sea, he, on land,

30 He sees not, he is not seen.
He is not sincere,
He will not come when it is wished.
He, on land, he, on sea,
He is indispensable,
He is unconfined,
He is unequalled.
He from four regions,
He will not be according to counsel.
He commences his journey

40 From above the stone of marble.
He is loud-voiced, he is mute.
He is uncourteous.
He is vehement, he is bold,
When he glances over the land.
He is mute, he is loud-voiced.
He is blustering.
Greatest, his banner
On the face of the earth.
He is good, he is bad,

50 He is not bright,
He is not manifest,
For the sight does not see (him).
He is bad, he is good.
He is yonder, he is here,
He will disorder.
He will not repair what he does
And he sinless,
He is wet, he is dry,
He comes frequently

60 From the heat of the sun, and the coldness of the moon.
The moon is without benefit,
Because less, her heat.
One Person has made it,
All the creatures.
He owns the beginning
And the end without falsehood.
Not skilful, the minstrel
That praises not the Lord.
Not true, the songster

70 That praises not the Father.
Not usual will a plough be
Without iron, without seed.
There was not a light
Before the creation of heaven;
There will not be a priest,
That will not bless the wafer;
The perverse will not know
The seven faculties.
Ten countries were provided,

80 In the angelic country.
The tenth were discarded,
They loved not their Father.
A loveless shower
In utter ruin.
Llucufer the corrupter,
Like his destitute country
Seven stars there are,
Of the seven gifts of the Lord.
The student of the stars

Rosie RussellFive shining stars for Posie Pixie Book 1 from "The Whimsy Wood Series."
Author Sarah Hill and illustrator Sarah Mauchline presents an adorable tale called "Posie Pixie and the Copper Kettle" Book 1.
Readers will enjoy rich words, charming drawings, and a story filled with fun and imagination! I am looking forward to more books from the "Whimsy Wood Series" as "Posie Pixie" has won my heart!
Thank you Sarah Hill for allowing me to win this copy through one of your contests!

DBR BooksWhimsy Wood is a magical and inspiring place where good things happen, and treasures can be found in the oddest of places! Posie Pixie’s unusual ‘finds’ enlightens one to the concept of everything and everyone has a purpose in life. Engaging, whimsical, and endearing, Posie Pixie takes us on another adventure in her enchanted forest Whimsy Wood, to once again capture the heart and true magic of kindness and friendship!

PHILLIP DAVIESAn enchanting cornucopia of welsh legends.Dylan Thomas told me that he loved the fragments that he had been able to read.These tales have captured the mystery and majesty of the Principality.Well done.Dai iawn.

MichaelThe Kalevala, the book that inspired Tolkien to write the Silmarillion, is not for the faint of heart! at 22,975 verses it is truly an Epic Poem. A fantastic translation for any student of finnish culture - the Kalevala translation by JM Crawford is one of the few that attempts to preserve the original finnish metre! A great work, and fast delivery from Abela!

KarlMany people have heard of the Hopi Indians, but few know their history. Written at the turn of the 20th Century, this great book reminded me of a civilisation that is fast disappearing. Abela Publishing were fast and efficient, can't fault them!

AnonymousThe great Incan civilization had a huge affect on the culture of South America, great to read about their tales in this volume! Very fast delivery and easy checkout with Abela! Being able to pay by Paypal was a real plus!

Sam CrossA gateway to the world of Russian myth and legend, a truly interesting (and entertaining) read. The Story of Ivan and the Daughter of the Sun was especially good! Excellent service from Abela, as always.

Gerry O'Donohoereally pleased to get a book of traditional Celtic fairy tales to read to the kids, the book benefits the princes trust too - an added bonus. Payment and delivery were really easy, I would recommend Abela publishing

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